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Hockey Canada and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation announced late Friday that the suspension preventing the Russian forward, selected by the Edmonton Oilers first overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, from playing for his hometown team during the NHL lockout had been lifted.

After signing with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk earlier this month and playing two games in the KHL, Yakupov was benched on Wednesday.

In order to play in the KHL Yakupov needed an International Transfer Card, which must be signed by Hockey Canada. It turned out he didn't have one yet and was actually playing in the KHL illegally. His team was fined and he was suspended until the dispute was resolved.

At the time, Hockey Canada claimed it would not sign the transfer card because Yakupov was contractually bound to play for his former OHL team, the Sarnia Sting, during the NHL lockout. The Sting, in turn, claimed they had no part in denying Yakupov the opportunity to play in the KHL.

“We wouldn't do anything to hinder any kid," said Sarnia head coach and GM Jacques Beaulieu at the time. "We're not in the business of standing in the way of any player's development. We would never do that."

In Friday's announcement, the Canadian and Russian organizations said the following: “The OHL has determined that Yakupov had no independent legal advice when, at the age of 17 years old, he signed his contract with Sarnia.